Quebec vet association unveils names of oldest dog and cat in the province

Quebec’s oldest cat, Hortence, 21, and dog, Cashew, 17, are shown by their owners Suzanne Hamlin and Ameliane Bibeau at the Canadian Veterinarian Convention Friday, April 21, 2017 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL — At 21 years old, Hortense the cat has far outlived her prescribed nine lives.

The spry Scottish Fold was awarded the title of Quebec’s oldest cat on Friday by the veterinarian association that tends to small animals.

The title of oldest dog went to Cachou, a 17-year-old Yorkshire terrier who dozed through the Montreal ceremony in a tiny tuxedo.

Veterinary association president Valerie Trudel said the winners may not be the oldest cat and dog in the province, but they were the oldest they could find with continuous vet records.

“There’s probably older dogs in the population, but our criteria were very specific,” she said. “We wanted dogs who were visiting their vets because otherwise we don’t know how old they are.”

She said Hortense would be about 120 years old in human age and Cachou would be about 100.

Hortense’s owner, Suzanne Janlin, said her elderly cat is now blind but is otherwise in good shape, and still able to jump up on the bed.

Janlin credited her cat’s longevity to good veterinary care and the feline’s easygoing outlook on life.

“She lives well and doesn’t complicate her life,” Janlin said as Hortense, a large tabby with her breed’s signature folded ears, sat quietly in her arms.

Cachou, the little Yorkie, appeared equally unfazed by all the activity around him as he wandered around the convention centre ahead of the ceremony.

His owner, Josee Bibeau, said she has mixed emotions about her dog getting the award.

“It’s emotional because it’s a reminder that he has more years behind him than in front of him,” she said.

“So it’s a bit sad, but we’re hoping to have him for a long time still, and we’re happy to see him honoured in this way.”

The veterinary association revealed the results of a survey that showed around 15 per cent of cats in Quebec are seniors over the age of 12.

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